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Jul 25
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Jerry Omo, owner of HawaiianPix (a Hawaii wedding photography company) recently got back into cycling as a way of staying fit and getting exercise. One day not too long ago, he posted some ride data on Facebook. Marino Regalado, Certified Professional Master of Ceremonies with Ninja Entertainment and a NACE Hawaii member, commented that there’s actually a good number of cyclists and bike riders in the Hawaii wedding industry. Jerry asked if anyone ever organized a group ride. Marino said not yet.
So here’s your invitation to an organized wedding/special events industry group ride. Whether you are a serious cyclist or just ride for fun and fitness, you are welcome to join in on the fun!
When is it? Wednesday, July 29, starting at 6:00pm. If there’s enough interest, we may make it a monthly thing, and eventually a weekly thing.
Where do we meet? Meet at the parking lot of Kapiolani Community College at 5:45pm. We roll out at 6:00pm.
What’s the route, and how easy/difficult is it?
As a starting ride, this one is super-duper easy. It’s relatively FLAT with only one “major” uphill section on the return ride.
- Launching from KCC, you head DOWNHILL along Diamond Head Road to Kahala Avenue.
- Take a left on Kahala Avenue and ride it to Kealaolu Street. It’s the street right before the Waialae Country Club and Kahala Resort.
- Take a left on to Kealaolu Street and ride it all the way. Pull into the service station on your left. THIS IS OUR FIRST REGROUP.
- When everyone is together, we depart the station and travel along Kalanianaole Hwy to Portlock. After the bridge just past Keahole Drive, turn right into Portlock. THIS WILL BE THE TURNAROUND.
- Once everyone’s together, we ride through Portlock, get back on Kalanianaole Hwy, and go back. Just past Hawaii Kai Drive and all the way until you get to Kalani High School, there’s usually a nice tailwind to push you along.
- Take a left on to Kilauea Avenue and pull into the Olive Tree parking lot. THIS IS THE SECOND REGROUP.
- Get back on to Kilauea Avenue and turn left on to 22nd Avenue. At the end of this section is probably the most challenging part of the ride: it’s all uphill to the finish at KCC. But it’s not that bad, and you’ll feel good when you finish it.
- Take a right on to Diamond Head Road. You’re a block away from KCC, almost to the finish line!
- Arrive at KCC and congratulate yourself for a great ride.
To make this ride safe and enjoyable for everyone, there are a few RULES & RECOMMENDATIONS to participate.
- HELMETS ARE MANDATORY. No helmet, no ride, NO EXCEPTIONS.
- The sun will set around 7:20pm, but just in case you get caught out in the dark, bring some lights (“blinkies”) for you and your bike.
- Bring enough water to keep you hydrated throughout the ride, and enough energy gels/bars/sports drinks to keep you from “bonking” (running out of energy).
- Bring a cell phone, just in case you run into difficulty/mechanical problem and need to call someone to drop back and help you. A few of the more serious riders can help you change a tire or offer you an extra powerbar if you need help.
- Bring some money, if you care to join in for a post-ride dinner at Diamond Head Grill on Monsarrat Avenue and Campbell Avenue.
- Bring a good attitude!
- RIDE AT YOUR OWN PACE. This is not a race, and you’re not going to win any medals, sprint points, yellow jerseys, or the Tour de France for being the first one at the regroups or turnaround. You want to get to a regroup and the finish still feeling good and with some reserve in the tank.
Having said that, THIS IS A NO-DROP RIDE, meaning that you will not get left behind. We wait until everyone is at the regroup area before we continue. (It also gives riders a chance to catch their breath if they’ve been riding hard.)
If you want to get back into fitness but haven’t found the right group of friends to do it with, join in on the fun! We’re all busy wedding & special event professionals, so we totally understand how busy work can get, and how easy it is to put off your workout. So make time for yourself. We’ll see you on Wednesday!